Simulator Training Program Curriculum Development

TRAX offers two types of Simulator Training Program (STP) curricula for instructors and students to use during simulator training and operator qualification.  Comprised of a series of lessons based on plant-specific operating scenarios, the curricula are designed to ensure that operators gain proficiency in the safe and efficient operation of the unit from the control room.

The STP can include self-study Teaching Assistant lessons, which students complete at their own pace without an instructor, and/or Instructor-Guided lessons, which require the presence of an instructor to coach and advise the operator.  A combination of the two approaches has proven to be an effective way to reduce the burden on the training department without compromising training quality.

The goals of the Simulator Training Program include:

• Training operators on the basic operation of a single component or system
• Training operators on normal operation, including startup and shutdown, while emphasizing the use of procedures
• Training operators to operate and maintain the unit within design parameters
• Training operators to recognize and take corrective action when abnormal or alarm conditions occur, through the use of malfunctions and abnormal operational scenarios
• Training operators to communicate effectively with plant personnel and load dispatchers during routine unit operation as well as during abnormal and emergency conditions
• Developing operator confidence with new plant controls and equipment, thereby minimizing errors caused by unfamiliarity

Needs Assessment

Prior to development of the training curriculum, it is important to determine the customer’s specific needs. Thus, TRAX performs a Needs Assessment, using the following methods:

• Establish simulator training program goals through discussions with trainers and managers
• Collect information on personnel turnover to estimate the type and amount of simulator training required
• Review Operating Data to identify critical parameters affected by the actions of control room operators, to determine areas requiring performance improvement
• Develop and conduct a Training Needs Assessment Survey to determine training needs and implementation strategy
• Review existing training to determine its effectiveness in meeting control room operator job performance requirements
• Review existing documentation to support the development and implementation of simulator training

TRAX Teaching Assistant Lessons

The TRAX Teaching Assistant (TA) is a self-paced instructional tool that provides effective power plant training through a “virtual” instructor.  By providing real-time advice, the TA simulates how the instructor would coach operators during training.  The TA can be used either as a precursor to instructor-led training or as the primary training vehicle for plant operations that are segmented into logical subtasks.  Because TA training is consistent, operators enter instructor-guided training with a common set of knowledge and skills, thus freeing instructors to teach the more complex principles of integrated unit operation.

The plant-specific Teaching Assistant lessons are built with the a special software suite developed by TRAX, and are installed as an interactive program on the simulator’s operator consoles.  After the customer selects the component or system for each TA Lesson, TRAX will work with the site training department to develop the sequence and content of each learning activity in the lesson. Content includes the procedural steps necessary to operate the system or component, and the advice associated with each step, and can also include excerpts from system descriptions, digital photos, and relevant videos.

Instructor-Guided Lessons

The Simulator Training Program (STP) curriculum is comprised of an Instructor Manual (including the Instructor Guide and Lesson Plans) and a Student Manual. Along with the STP documents, training is provided to teach instructors how to use the training curriculum.

Instructor Guide
The Instructor Guide is the administrative document for the STP.  In addition to setting the standards and procedures for training and evaluations, it explains how to use the various STP documents to deliver effective training.

Lesson Plans
Each lesson plan guides the instructor during classroom and simulator training to focus on specific learning objectives.  A lesson plan includes instructor activities such as role-playing and operation of local equipment, and provides suggested questions to ask and important topics to discuss.  Also included are the expected student actions during various training activities.  Each lesson plan also includes an Evaluation, designed to score operators’ competence in handling similar scenarios in the real plant.  Based on how well the student accomplishes the lesson’s learning objectives, the Evaluation can be used to qualify control room operators.

Student Guide
The STP Student Manual contains general information regarding simulator training and evaluations, role-playing, student and instructor conduct and responsibilities, and a collection of other documents that the student uses during training, such as lesson summaries, student worksheets, and operating procedures.